Ever dreamed of having a makeup device tailored just for you? Karin Layton, the co-founder and chief technology officer of BoldHue, has made that dream a reality with a revolutionary device designed to be your makeup’s personal Keurig.
This inventive gadget by BoldHue not only scans your face but also crafts a bespoke foundation blend to perfectly match your skin tone. Announced on a recent Tuesday, the beauty tech startup has successfully raised $3.37 million in funding, with Lucas Venture Group leading the round and notable contributions from Mark Cuban, among others.
The concept was born out of Layton’s frustration over mismatched foundation shades. As a former aerospace engineer at Raytheon and a hobbyist painter, she melded her engineering background with her understanding of color theory to develop the prototype.
Priced at $295 upon its launch, this compact appliance operates with a “wand” placed across different areas of your face to precisely capture your skin tone. Through a pioneering skin typing algorithm, it identifies your skin type and concocts the ideal foundation shade using a combination of five pigments: blue, black, red, yellow, and white. It then delivers a week’s supply of foundation.
Rachel Wilson, co-founder and CEO, stated in an interview with TechCrunch, “It meticulously crafts the blend based on your individual data, ensuring every pigment drop is specifically tailored to your skin.”
The newly acquired funds will go towards the initial batch of devices, bolstering the company’s hiring and marketing efforts. Ahead of a broader launch, BoldHue plans to ship 10,000 units to a burgeoning waitlist of 40,000 individuals, many of whom discovered BoldHue from its engaging TikTok content. Furthermore, the company is preparing for a national roadshow to spotlight their innovation across major cities.
While the device is yet to be reviewed, its promise suggests a significant advancement for those struggling to find the right foundation shade. The obstacles range from fluctuating skin tones due to health conditions or sun exposure, to the limited range of shades offered by many makeup brands.
Highlighting the consumer demand for inclusivity, Wilson noted, “Online shade-matching tools are helpful but leave too much uncertainty. Our device eliminates the guesswork and limitations faced in physical stores, promising an accurate match even as your skin tone changes.”
Similar technology was showcased at CES 2020 by L’oréal with “Perso,” and YSL sells a bespoke lipstick creation tool. Unlike these, BoldHue offers a week’s supply of product, not just single doses.
The starter kit from BoldHue includes a full month’s foundation supply and various accessories. An accompanying app alerts you when it’s time to reorder pigments, available for $15 to $20 each. They also plan a premium bundle for makeup artists, offering bulk cartridge purchases.
“With an average refill need of just one cartridge per month, we’re making custom beauty accessible and sustainable,” Wilson elaborated.
Looking ahead, BoldHue envisions expanding its influence through a virtual try-on app and exploring other makeup categories via partnerships.
“We’re considering various solutions to address market needs through technological innovation. The vision is to not only create but also collaborate, potentially expanding into new categories,” Wilson concluded.
Additional backers in the recent funding round include Backstage Capital, Capital Eleven, and Tacoma Ventures. With $2 million previously raised from friends and family, BoldHue’s total funding now approximates $5 million.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
Watch more about AI – Artificial Intelligence
